Once more, Fearnone checked his invis-shield. So far, none had detected him. Not even the Prince, who had sharper senses than most. It was comical that the Prince did not recognize the mate-bond heat raging in his royal veins. It was moments like this that brought Fearnone perverse joy. While others were awed and intimidated by royals, he knew them for what they truly were. Fallible, stupid, petty, and mortal, the royals were driven by strong drives and desires like everyone else.
He had been on this miserable planet for almost a week, hoping for a chance to get close enough to assassinate Prince Dex. He never seemed able to get a clear shot at his target. And the female was proving to be even more elusive. He didn't know if it was by nature or just luck. No matter. He had a contract to fulfill. And besides, if he brought the Prince's head back on a plate, Queen Rialla had promised to take him as mate. It was an offer he couldn't refuse. So here he was, on the human planet, waiting, like always, to murder people.
Too bad he had to kill the female. She was young, and her scent made his mouth water. Perhaps he would have fun with her first before killing her. He licked his lips at the thought. Yes, this job was giving him many perks. Quietly, Fearnone unpacked his weaponry and settled himself in the doorway of the building south of the training area. When Dex and the girl emerged, for he had no doubt the Prince would be victorious, Fearnone would be ready.
* * *
Maussey glared at Lt. Enbran, still furious at the unexpected turn of events. It was all her fault that he had to tolerate the interloping Gatoans. Now he had to find a way to sabotage the testing. And that doctor, Elenora, feigned outrage, but women like her thrived on chaos. She probably orchestrated this snag with Colonel Lingley.
"…Jewels, I'm sorry, but it's a Presidential order that the Gatoans be included."
"But, why? I mean, we know they are psionic, but we don't know the powers they wield. And, 'Hello', has everyone forgotten my encounter with their minds? I do believe a nosebleed and near-death experience count as endangerment."
For once, Maussey agreed, but for different reasons. Once they let those walking carpets inside, everything would go downhill. He knew they would take over and enslave humans. He was not going to let it happen. Not on his watch.
"It does not matter, Lieutenant. This is by executive order. If you refuse, you will meet with the MDC again. And I assure you, Lieutenant, that they will change your mind."
Maussey grinned as he watched Doctor Cosmit chastise the young telepath. He prayed that the young woman would make a scene. If she was sent before the MDC, he had a few new punishments in mind, and all involved her screaming in agony.
Jewels snarled, threw her hands up, and stormed away. He was disappointed. He'd expected more of a fight. "Doctor, a word."
She came to him and waited. He thought of keeping her there for a while, but decided against it. The President and the UPO would be linking in to watch the Choosing.
"Doctor, I want her monitored 24/7. And I want all data sent to me first."
"Yes, BG. General."
Maussey wanted to laugh at her disgruntled expression. More work for Elenora, but she needed to remember who was in charge. "Dismissed." He headed for his seat as the vid-screens came alive.
"Sir, we have confirmed the sat-links to the UPO and the President are established. Feed is live and transmitting."
"Good. Inform the testers that we are ready to begin. Also, put Lt. Enbran's feed front and center." Maussey sat back and prepared to enjoy the show.
* * *
Jewels always hated this part. Psi-Ops called the event "The Choosing," and she disliked the title. She really didn't get to choose. Her brain waves and Psi-Ops chose for her. She felt like an insect on a scanner, trapped and on display for all to see.
::Jewels, relax, please.::
::Easy for you to say, Colonel. You're not the one they'll take it out on if this experiment fails.:: She knew he didn't have a response to that, and they lapsed into uncomfortable silence. Jeremy hovered anxiously in her mind.
Elenora came over and touched her arm. "Time to start, Jewels."
"Okay, send in the first one." Jewels turned to her anchor. "Drop our shield."
Jeremy frowned. "Your mind, Jewels. It will..."
"...be unprotected, yes. That is part of the test, or have you forgotten your own Choosing trial? The candidate has to be able to shield my mind, Jeremy."
"I don't like it."
She smiled at his stubbornness. "You don't have to. Orders, remember? Now, drop it."
Jeremy reluctantly did so. Even though Jewels braced herself for the pain, it still caught her off guard. She nearly fainted before forcing her body to calm down as the storm of thoughts assaulted her. "First one," she ordered, determined not to let the pain show.
A woman, shorter than herself, with blond hair, sat down. Jewels smiled tightly. She touched the woman's hand and frowned when the other girl jerked free. The urge to roll her eyes at the woman's behavior was tempting, but she ignored it.
Why they even allowed women in the testing aggravated Jewels. She'd never bonded with a female anchor. Too much pettiness and jealousy from the prospective women candidates interfered with any kind of joining. The majority of psionic men tended to be stunningly handsome, exuded sheer masculinity, and often possessed charisma, power, and money. All things females craved.
Finding a male psionic partner to bond with was harder still because the ratio of females to males was 10 to 1. The few women who made it every year into the candidate pool invariably got upset when put into a room with the men. They realized that they couldn't have any for mates on the off chance that one of the men might bond with Jewels. It created hard feelings. Jewels personally felt Psi-Ops should work to pair up psionics instead of wasting time sending females to her Choosing sessions.
"Thank you, Mina. You can go," Jeremy ordered.
The blonde shot Jewels a dirty look. ::Watch yourself, slut. Not all of us like the fact that you keep using and destroying our men.::
Jewels gasped. Before she could reply, Jeremy was there by Mina, squeezing the girl's wrist hard. "If you ever spew thoughts like that again, you'll be mind-wiped. Got it?"
Mina paled, and Jewels gaped at Jeremy.
"Move!" He pushed Mina toward the exit.
Jewels stood up. "Jeremy!" She jumped when Mina slammed the door.
"Don't start, Jewels! It's people like that who give psionics a bad name." He turned to the observation window. "Doc, eliminate all female candidates from the list and send them home."
"Jeremy," Jewels tried again. When he ignored her, she walked over to him and touched his arm. She yelped when the emotions raging inside him flooded her mind. She couldn't pull away. She hadn't known her anchor felt that way about her. Her tears fell as she experienced his grief, anger, helplessness, and determination.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
She found herself enveloped in his arms, and he squeezed her too tightly. It didn't matter. He was her anchor, her safety. ::Jeremy, you consider me family! I'm honored. I haven't had any in a long time.::
::Jewels, you're the little sister I never had. I refuse to let you be hurt. Besides, you don't swing that way. That's why Mina was really angry.::
::Oh!:: Jewels blushed as the meaning of his words sank in. ::I didn't…um, wow!::
Jeremy laughed and released her. "Okay, partner. Next victim."
She giggled. "Yes, I'm ready." And she would be, because the alternative was not an option.
Jeremy gave the signal, and the next candidate entered.
* * *
Dex and his two guards watched the human prospects. He found it interesting when the three remaining females were removed from the room. He really wanted to release his claws and rip into the other males. They were not worthy of her. Only he was. Even his two guards were being allowed to vie for his female's attention.
One by one, the men were called until only Dex, his two guards, and a black haired human remained.
"So, you are aliens."
He glared at the man. "We are," he growled and hoped the suddenly talkative human would take the hint to be quiet.
"Amazing. So, I guess, you read minds, too? Oh, yeah, my name is Adam."
Must I suffer this fool, Dex thought sourly. "I am Dex. This is Dipaw and Nipaw."
"Weird names. Uh, different, I mean different," Adam amended when Dex's growl turned menacing.
"So, uh, did you see the girl? She's a looker. I heard rumors that being her anchor comes with perks, if you know what I mean." Adam leered and wiggled his hips suggestively.
Dex couldn't take it any longer. He bellowed his rage and ran at the human with his claws out. He was intent on gutting the stupid male for his insulting behavior.
Adam squealed and dove to the side, knocking over a table in his rush to get away from danger. Dex almost caught him, but was tackled by his guards.
::My Prince, calm yourself! You will lose her if you don't stop!:: Dipaw yelled in his mind.
Dex went limp in their grasp and fought his instincts. How dare that human speak of Jewels in such a manner! It was rude and demeaning. Maybe if the man lost his tongue, life would be better for everyone.
The door burst open, and Jeremy, accompanied by several armed soldiers, rushed inside. "What is going on in here?"
"That, that alien tried to kill me!" Adam whined from his spot behind a table.
Dipaw and Nipaw helped Dex to his feet. He glared at the worm on the floor. Trust the wimp to cry foul. "I was not trying to kill him. Test his mettle, yes. But kill him, no. That would violate our treaty and make my Father angry."
Jeremy stared at Dex for a long moment. "I trust you three will be fine by yourselves if left alone?"
"Of course," Dex smoothly replied and grinned, making sure that Adam saw his fangs.
Jeremy kept his expression stony and turned to Adam. "Very well. You, come with me. It is your turn."
Adam scrambled to his feet, scooted around the table, and hurried out the door. Jeremy sighed and left with the soldiers.
"That was unpleasant," Nipaw remarked and sat in a chair.
Dipaw bowed to Dex and pulled out a chair. "Please, my Prince, sit. Your turn will be soon. And forget the silly human. The female is smart enough to see through his falseness."
Dex was disgruntled and frustrated. The urge to battle raged in his veins. He needed an outlet for his pent-up emotions or else face turning feral. He slammed his paw down on the table, elongated his claws, and dragged it slowly, leaving deep gouge marks on its surface. He ignored the concerned looks that Dipaw and Nipaw exchanged.
Soon, he and his little human would be one, and nothing was going to stand in Dex's way.